Let’s make this perfectly clear. Don’t trade any of the young pitchers, Mets.

There is too much to lose.

Dealing Bartolo Colon, however, for an offensive piece is a must.

The Mets should not make any deals involving the golden young arms that include Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia, Vic Black and Noah Syndergaard.

The Mets finally have something going here. Yes, they need bats, but at this stage of the game, it’s not worth it to break up the young band.

Colon and the Mets were spectacular Monday night in a 7-1 whipping of the Fight-less Phils at Citi Field, lowering A.J. Burnett’s trade value in the process.

Asked if he expected a trade, Sandy Alderson said: “We have an opportunity to do a thing or two, but not inclined to at this point. I wouldn’t bet on something happening.’’

Alderson did offer this tantalizing tidbit, saying there could be a possibility of the Mets throwing some of their prospect chips together on the table down the road and making a trade for a big piece.

“That’s a possibility, in fact, to me that sounds more desirable than inching your way there and giving up prospects in more cautious transactions,’’ Alderson explained. “I wouldn’t rule that out, but it has to be the right time for the right player under the right circumstances.’’

Giancarlo Stanton might be the only player worth giving up a young arm for.Photo: AP

Short of Giancarlo Stanton, don’t give up the young arms.

As for Troy Tulowitzki, he would be a wonderful addition, but let’s face facts: The Mets, the way they are being run, cannot afford him, and for this franchise to sink that much money into a player with a history of injuries is dangerous.

Alderson was asked if the Mets could afford another $20 million player, and pointed to the fact, “We’ve got a 20 and 15,’’ referring to David Wright and Curtis Granderson.

What about $20 (million), $20 (million) and $15 (million)?

Alderson quipped, “20, 20, 15 and what 22 dwarfs?’’

Yes, that tells you where the Mets are financially for the foreseeable future. That’s the reality of the situation with Fred and Jeff Wilpon’s budget.

But that is even more reason to keep the young pitchers.

Yes, it’s difficult for the Mets to score runs and the real shame of this season is the Mets have let an opportunity slip away because they are getting such good pitching, one more hitter could make the Mets a dangerous team. They’ve won 11 of the last 14 at home, averaging 5.7 runs per game.

So where might future offense come from? Alderson pointed to a website ranking of the top 100 prospects and how the Mets have five of those prospects and four of them are position players.

“I think the overall profile of our system is changing a little bit,’’ he said, “and there is more reason to believe that we have position players as well as pitchers.’’

Those four position players, according to MLB.com, are catcher Kevin Plawecki (67), outfielders Brandon Nimmo (68) and Michael Conforto (86) and first baseman Dominic Smith (88).

The Mets need to add some offense and that’s why they need to trade Colon (10-8, 3.88). Scouts flocked to Citi Field Monday night with Colon pitching against Burnett. Burnett got crushed.

Alderson said he felt Colon, who will make $11 million next season, would have more value in the offseason. When told that comment, one scout said: “At 42?’’

The young pitchers on this staff are coming together in so many ways. Consider this comment from catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who hammered two doubles and a home run Monday night.

“I just think they all have each other’s backs, they’re all cheering for each other,’’ d’Arnaud told The Post. “A perfect example Sunday was when Jacob had guys on first and second and Vic came on and helped him out, everybody was so fired up and Jacob went right to him and thanked him. Just being great teammates, that’s what it takes.’’

Should the Mets trade their young arms?

Trade Wright for a mid-level Single A prospect. Wright is a complete non-entity...he will never again be a top tier ML hitter. This guy's been old longer than Abe Vigoda. Time to quit waiting for Wright to rise from the dead.

Ridiculous to think this team is one player away from contending? Think again. Where do you think they would be right now if they had opted for Nelson Cruz instead of Chris Young? I say leading their mediocre division.

And by the way, for those of you who constantly bash Bartolo Colon; he is 10-8 with a sub-.500 club. Stephen Strasburg is 7-8 with a first place team. I seldom hear anyone ragging on Strasburg, or Hamels for that matter.

"Those four position players, according to MLB.com, are catcher Kevin Plawecki (67), outfielders Brandon Nimmo (68) and Michael Conforto (86) and first baseman Dominic Smith (88)."

If d'Arnaud is the real deal then Plawecki isn't destined to start any time soon. Ditto Duda/Dominic Smith. Remember stars of the future Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher? Pitchers are much more iffy than position players. If the Mets have a shot at getting Tulo they should't hesitate to move any of the above, plus Syndergaard or Montero.

I agree that the Mets shouldn't trade some of the semi established young arms like Wheeler, deGrom or Harvey but I would trade a Montero or Syndergaard for a big bat. Tulo is not worth it. I was saying last week that we should try to get him but after seeing his Yankee love fest and looking at his age and lack of ability to play a whole season I think we need to go in another direction. The Cubs have Castro who is a good SS and better than Flores or Tejada plus 3 of their best prospects are SS, we could make a deal for one of them for less than what it would take for Tulo. And the Rangers are listening to offers for Rios who I think would be a better fit then Cargo in the OF. His contract expires at the end of this year with an option for 2015 at 13 million, which isn't that crazy theses days. Offer the Cubs Montero for Castro or Baez and the Rangers Nimmo for Rios and see what they say. Could have Castro, Murphy, Wright, Duda, Rios, Granderson, d'Arnaud, Lagares for a lineup and still have staff of Niese, Gee, Wheeler, deGrom and Colon. Keep Black, Mejia, Familia, Edgin and Torres in pen. Still could have pieces for decent bench and players to make some more moves in offseason.

I agree that the young arms should be off the table. For the first time in a long time I am optimistic on the Mets future. Let the Yankees get Tulo since he would fit right in (most games played since 2011 season was 126).

As for Bartolo, I say keep him. I really enjoy watching him pitch and apparently is loved and respected in the clubhouse. Anything we get for him won't be MLB ready for years down the line. Go Bartolo!

@Phil Grabar wow is that dumb....no it's actually worse than dumb. Maybe go for broke with Stanton...BUT NOT Tulo. He's constantly hurt. He's a great defensive player and would help our pitchers with defense. But outside of Coors he's an average hitter. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH the asking price.

@Phil Grabar - For a guy making 22 mill who is hurt EVERY year. Oh, lets not forget that he's hitting .400 at home and .260 on the road. YEAH, lets give up the best young arms we have for a high priced 30 year old Coors field hitter :-/

He's a very nice player, for the YANKEES. THe Wilpons may have a team in a big market but Alderson has to run them on a small market budget. The Padres or Pirates have a better chance of working him in their budget than the Mets do.

@JasperB I agree the pitching has a lot of potential with all the young arms, however they are an awful hitting team, and will be with this lineup for the foreseeable future. They do need to consider dealing one of the young arms for a decent hitter if given the opportunity. They have too many holes on offense. David Wright is clearly on the decline, and is owed 6 yrs and 108 mil after this year. They are really only getting production from one outfield spot, and nothing from shortstop.

They recently went 9 straight games of scoring 3 runs or less. They have no hitting prospects in the minors currently who will be ready to contribute this year or next. With this current lineup and no changes you are still looking at a middle of the road 75-80 win team. That is why I think you need to take the risk and try to deal for a decent hitter. I know the Marlins wont do it, but I would give up two of the young stars (Syndegard, Montero, or Mejia) for Giancarlo Stanton, or another good young hitter.

@Daniel UNK@JasperB - How do you figure that they have no hitting prospects for this year or next year? They have Matt Reynolds ripping it up in Vegas, Plawecki who hit everywhere but got off to a slow start at Vegas, Dilson Herrera who was on fire at AA. Puello hasn't done too much in Vegas but had a great year in AA and den Dekker is hitting like .315 at Vegas. Nimmo is playing at AA too so he very well could be in the big leagues at some point next year. I just named 6 guys with a chance for this year or next year.

@_ets Fan@Daniel UNK@JasperB Matt Reynolds is not exactly ripping it up in Vegas and is far from a touted prospect. .300 2HR 17RBI in 130AB's at Vegas isn't great, which is like playing at Coors Field. Plawecki is another catcher, the Mets have D'Arnaud who is finally coming around so what are they going to do with him unless they trade him. Herrera, Puello, and Den Dekker are not big time prospects. Nimmo is highly touted and talented, but he will not be up in the Majors next year even if the Mets struggle. You named 6 guys who are not expected to be big time contributors. So where is this offense coming from? None are legitimate .300 20HR threats next year for the Mets. Most of who you mentioned are not expected to perform at that level anytime in the majors outside Nimmo. It is going to be another long season next year unless they bolster the glaring weaknesses. They are getting no production from 2 OF spots and SS.